Police in Papua arrest 25 people following violent clashes

The police in Indonesia's Papua province have detained 25 people following days of violent clashes between residents in Kwamki Lama in the Mimika district.

A National Police spokesman, Senior Commander Boy Rafli Amar, says they continue to cooperate with customary leaders and the community to overcome the conflict pitting residents from Kwamki Lama Atas and Kwamki Lama Bawah.

He says a total of 30 people were questioned in connection with the violence, and 20 were declared suspects and detained.

He told the Jakarta Globe the twenty five suspects were all from the two camps in conflict.

According to reports, three people have been killed since the 6th of June in the intermittent fighting.

Police have said they suspect the violence, which has included street skirmishes involving spears and arrows, was sparked by a minor traffic accident.

The violence between the residents of the two camps is not a first. Similar traditional warfare pitting local factions against each other took place in Kwamki Lama in April and May.